Media specialist Mrs. Formica explained the costs associated with New Ulm High School acquiring Chromebook repairs.

As seasons change, so do the repair needs of Chromebooks, Mrs. Formica said. When it gets colder out, repairs are more frequent, often because Chromebooks are being left out in vehicles or on the ground in vehicles, which causes the battery to fail. On average, the media center receives three repair requests a day.

Repairs for Chromebook devices can vary significantly, ranging from complimentary services to fees that may reach up to $300. According to Mrs. Formica, many issues are classified as “wear and tear,” which are often covered under warranty. Things like battery wearing out, WIFI giving out, screen cracking, those kinds of things fall under warranty.

Mrs. Formica said, “Repairs for Chromebooks are covered under warranty, funded by a tech budget, while replacements not covered by warranty may cost up to $300, requiring forms to be filled out by students and their families.”

Typically, Chromebooks tend to have a lifespan of around 4 years, although it can vary based on usage and model, Formica said. Also, Chromebooks that were purchased 2 years ago, which were manufactured in 2019, can serve a purpose by being repurposed as loaner devices. This extends their usability, as students often use loaners for shorter durations, she said.

Mrs. Formica said the “most costly components to fix are the internal parts, particularly the motherboard, chip, and battery.”

Damage to these elements often necessitates extensive repairs or complete replacements, she said.

Incidents of malicious damage, such as intentionally damaging the charging port, can lead to high costs as these repairs often involve replacing the entire device, she said.